Habakkuk’s First Complaint

1 This is the burden that Habakkuk the prophet received in a vision:

2 How long, O LORD, must I call for help

but You do not hear,

or cry out to You, “Violence!”

but You do not save?

3 Why do You make me see iniquity?

Why do You tolerate wrongdoing?

Destruction and violence are before me.

Strife is ongoing, and conflict abounds.

4 Therefore the law is paralyzed,

and justice never goes forth.

For the wicked hem in the righteous,

so that justice is perverted.